It seems like every parent I talk to has a similar problem: the sheer number of toys their kids have. After only a few weeks (or days!) many of these toys are put into a closet or toy box, seldom to be seen again. In addition, some of these toys spend weeks on the floor being ignored. I have put together a toy free gift giving guide for the holidays. The items in this gift guide are things kids love and also take up little space. Yay!…
As a new mom working full time, planning a child’s birthday party was a little overwhelming. I was looking for anything that would make it easier. …
Family traditions are really important. They are predictable. Predictability helps children feel safe and secure. They give everyone something to look forward to and strengthen the bond among family members. Traditions also provide lasting memories.
We have a family tradition of Friday night being movie and pizza night. As a kid Friday was always pizza night, a tradition that I loved. I asked Nick if he would be OK with continuing that tradition when we were married and he was all for it. Sometimes we order from our favorite pizza place, but more often than not we just cook a couple of frozen pizzas. I love having pizza night on Friday night because it’s an easy and delicious way to end the work week.
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Many families are scheduled to the max for various reasons. It is hard to sit down and connect with each other. Yet that is just what we need to do more often. According to research:
“Recent studies link regular family dinners with many behaviors that parents pray for: lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy and depression, as well as higher grade-point averages and self-esteem.”
There are many additional benefits to sharing a meal together as well, including lowering the obesity rates and incidents of eating disorders in children.
Our oldest daughter, A , is the one who encouraged us to eat together as a family each night.
When I was young, my family ate together every night, extracurricular activities permitting. We talked and laughed together while my dad had the news on quietly (most of the time) in the background. I always assumed this was what most families did and what I would do with my own family.
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It’s that time of year again – a new school year is starting. Every year we work on starting the school year in a calm and organized manner. Each fall we take what worked previously and build upon it. We have noticed that being organized has helped out a lot! Here are our best tips to start the school year off right in an organized manner.
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What has worked best for our family is to have the kids eat a snack, then get started on homework. While they are working on homework I am going through their folders and taking care of any notes from teachers, etc. Once they finish homework they have free time until dinner.
We eat dinner at the same time each night as often as possible. After dinner, we go outside to play as a family. After outdoor time, the kids get ready for bed, we have family prayers, and then we go through the kids’ bedtime routines….